This section describes the biographies of Great Sikh Warriors who protected the humanity from the onslaught of tyrannical forces. They laid down their lives for religious freedom and to protect their faith.
Nadir Shah was a persian farmer who wanted to avenge the persecution of his countrymen by defeating Afghanis. Since Afghanis were ruling much of Punjab, Afghanistan and Iran, he first led a revolt against Afghanis to free his country(Iran). Then he overran the other areas of Afghanis like Punjab, and much of North West India and current day Pakistan. Sikhs in 1750's were not more then 100,000 in population but Sikhs resisted each and every battle they faced.
Even though Nadir Shah never fought Sikhs in direct engagement but his objective of subduing the Mughal government was fulfilled. After defeating Mughals he was returning to his native country of Iran with thousands of captives (slaves), and looted gold and other valuables. When he reached Punjab, Sikhs harassed his baggage train and snatched back much of looted valuables.
Nadir Shah's forces were no match for bands of 25-50 Sikhs who would gallop on their horses attack, save some slaves and then retreat. This form of Sikh attack was called Dhai Put. In one instance, Nadir Shah ordered to follow Sikhs for as long as it take, So Sikhs attacked, Nadir Shah forces pursued them then suddenly Sikhs turned back and fought head on while surrounding them to mercilessly kill all the pursuers. Thus Sikhs who were very small in numbers, won the small skirmishes and battles due to their superior tactics and noble cause. The dreaded Persian was astonished at the daring exhibited by the Sikhs.
He called a halt at Lahore. He questioned Zakariya Khan, Governor of Lahore, about them. 'Whence,' demanded the imperious Nadir, 'come those long haired barbarians who dare to molest me ? Who are these mischief-makers ?' Zakariya Khan replied, 'They are a group of fakirs who visit their Guru's tank twice a year, and, after bathing in it, disappear.' 'Where do they live? Destroy them and their homes, or they will destroy you.' 'Their homes are the saddles on their horses,' was the reply. 'Take care,' said Nadir, 'the day is not distant when these rebels will take possession of your country.' Said Nadir Shah
Some heroic warriors:
Baba Ala Singh - a Misl Jathedar of Phulkian Misl, who became the first Maharaja of Patiala. Baba Gurbaksh Singh - thirty against thirty thousand. Bhai Bachittar Singh - belonged to a family which has no parallel in Sikh history. Bhai Baghel Singh - is celebrated in Sikh history as the vanquisher of Mughal Delhi. Bhai Binod Singh - was a descendant of Guru Angad Sahib Ji. Bhai Dalla Singh - maintained a private army of several hundred warriors. Bhai Dan Singh - saved the honour of the faith for Malva. Bhai Jivan Singh - was the name given to Bhai Jaita after he recieved amrit from Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bhai Maharaj Singh - a saintly person turned revolutionary who led an anti-British movement in the Punjab after the first Anglo-Sikh war. Defence of Amritsar - the defence of Amritsar from continous musalmaan attacks. Gujjar Singh - one of the triumvirate who ruled over Lahore for thirty years before its occupation by Ranjit Singh. Hira Singh - first ruler of the Nakai Misl. Karam Singh - took charge of the Shaheedan Misl. Khushal Singh - succeeded Nawab Kapur Singh and was his nephew (brother's son). Lahina Singh - one of the triumvirate who ruled over Lahore for thirty years before its occupation by Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Sher Singh - was the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Naudh Singh - was an ancestor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sangat Singh - was a Nishanwala flag-bearers of the Dal Khalsa (Khalsa army). Sardar Charat Singh - was the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa - Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa was commander-in-chief of the Khalsa, the army of the Sikh Empire. Sardar Hukma Singh - was a commander-civil administrator under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sardar Jai Singh - the Kanhaiya Misl was first led by Sardar Jai Singh. Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia - was democratically elected as the supreme military commander of the Sikh Confederacy on 29 March 1748. Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia - was the commander of the Ramgarhia Misl. Sardar Jodh Singh - was the son of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia and succeeded him. Sardar Ranjodh Singh - was a military commander and jagirdar of the Sikh Darbar. Sardar Sham Singh - a Sikh general in the Sikh army of Lahore Darbar and one of those most trusted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sardarni Sada Kaur - was the mother-in-law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Maj. General M. Khan of Pakistan wrote in his book 'Crisis of Leadership' about the bravery of the Sikh soldiers during the Indo-Pak war.
Here are some quotes from his book:
"The main reason of our defeat was Sikhs fighting facing us. We were helpless to do anything in front of them. Sikhs are very brave and they have a great craving for martyrdom. They fight so fiercely that they are capable of defeating an army many times bigger than theirs."
"Alas, a handful of Sikhs converted our great victory into a big defeat and shattered our confidence and courage."
"The same thing happened with us in Dhaka (Bangladesh). In the battle of Jaissur, the Singhs opposed the Pakistani army so fiercely that our backbone and our foothold was lost. This became the main and important reason of our defeat and the Sikhs' fancy for martyrdom and mockery with death for the sake of safety and honour of the country, became the sole cause of their victory."
"May God rest the souls of all the fallen soldiers, in peace."
Source: https://www.discoversikhism.com/sikhs/sikh_warriors.html
